The Centaur

That comes under official. Prior to computer it took a lot longer.

One of the reasons for nominations be it early or late was the time required for clubs to gather the information for official and printing needs. These days its done in a fraction of a second. The noms nowadays is just for sweepstake purposes or for management to seek a better restaurant.

Yeah some of the "initiatives" questionable. Example the pay before official result scheme. What the purpose is I don't know. If its public relations then consider many overseas races go say 20 minutes before payout or result appearing on the screen. Particularly if there is a close finish and photo. You would think flashing the photo result across the screen would be a public relations exercise. Even in the days of NZBC when TAB results were available every 1/4 hour the service was better.

Seems Entain has been jumping into countries just as they did with New Zealand. Some interests in these countries not happy. Example below that of Poland. THE HEAD OF ENTAIN UNDER FIRE. ARE THERE MAJOR CHANGES COMING IN THE STRUCTURES OF THE NEW OWNER OF STS(Poland)? The head of Entain is under fire. Are there major changes coming in the structures of the new owner of STS? 12/12/2023 BETTING At the end of last week, the Financial Times published a famous article announcing an upcoming earthquake for the world's tycoon. The material quotes statements by important shareholders of the gambling tycoon Entain, who direct accusations against the company's CEO - Jette Nygaard-Andersen. The head of Entain is criticized, among other things, for her decision to take over STS. Entain under pressure from shareholders Dark clouds are gathering over Entain - a significant brand in the gambling world - which in 2022 took the first steps towards expansion into Poland by acquiring the Totolotka license, and a year later it officially came to our country thanks to the acquisition of STS. The CEO of the company, Jette Nygaard-Andersen, found herself in the eye of the storm, receiving a wave of criticism from Entain's shareholders, who were dissatisfied with the way she ran the business. As the Financial Times points out, "Falling share prices, increasing regulatory pressure, increased shareholder activity and growing internal dissatisfaction" - these are just some of the problems that Nygaard-Andersen must face. The matter came to a head when 20 of the company's shareholders decided to speak out and, through the FT, directly criticize the incompetent leadership. Since August this year, Entain's share price has fallen by 40 per cent, reducing its market capitalization to £5.1 billion. This is a much lower sum than what was on the table during the two takeover attempts in 2021. Entain revenue growth (%) (Financial Times based on company information) Entain's financial performance continues to deteriorate, even despite the fact that during Nygaard-Andersen's tenure, the company made 11 acquisitions for a total amount of £2 billion, and the amount allocated for further acquisitions is expected to double over the next five years. Ultimately, the current expansion into the Netherlands, Canada and Poland is not able to cover the problems that have been troubling the company for a long time. – Nygaard-Andersen's dizzying rush towards constant mergers and acquisitions shows a lack of awareness and general understanding of business economics, as well as shareholder sentiment - said one of Entain's 20 largest shareholders in the FT. Chaos and criticism of the decision to take over STS Organizational chaos - these are two words that clearly emerge from the shareholder statements. Over the past month, Entain was forced to close two acquired businesses. We are talking about the American e-sports platform Unikrn, purchased for GBP 50 million, and Totolotek, acquired for GBP 5 million. We can draw our own conclusions based on the steps taken by Entain on the Polish market. Let us recall that the company decided to enter Poland by purchasing the Totolotka license, on which the bwin brand was originally to be launched. However, the launch of the bookmaker, which was very popular in our country before the amendment to the Gambling Act, was regularly postponed. Ultimately, the idea of launching bwin in Poland was abandoned and the iconic Totolotek was closed. Before this happened, Entain undertook another, much larger investment in our country. In June, information was made public about the takeover of the largest bookmaker brand on the Polish market - STS - by the gambling tycoon. The transaction worth £750 million was made through the Entain CEE joint venture, created together with the Czech investment fund Emma Capital. To say that Entain's takeover of shares in STS was not well received by shareholders would be a huge understatement. In an open letter to the board, Eminence Capital, which owns a 2.1% stake in Entain, described the decision to acquire STS as "troublesome on many levels." – The shareholders' reaction to the takeover offer of STS shares should be a warning signal to the previously deaf Entain management and management board. We are outraged by this transaction, and in the light of the changes in the company's share prices, we are certainly not alone in this reaction - we could read in one of the final fragments of the letter. Interestingly, the owner of over 2% of shares in Entain announced that in the face of the steps taken by the company, he will most likely support the decision to sell the company: - Since shareholders are losing faith in Entain's ability to allocate capital (...), it is quite likely that they will support the sale of the company on to MGM at a much lower price than previously expected. Clumsy attempts to get out of trouble It is clear that the mood in the company has not been the best for at least half a year. Entain is trying to take steps to save the situation, but at this point it is difficult to imagine a solution that would not involve serious changes in the management board. The actions taken by Entain are not very effective. The company, plagued by regulatory problems, is trying to avert the crises in Turkey and the Netherlands. While a settlement was reached in the "Land of the Crescent Moon", which Jette Nygaard-Andersen's defenders attribute to her resourcefulness, the fine imposed by the Dutch regulator on BetCity calls into question Entain's effectiveness in this matter. The fact that the FT article devoted a lot of time to the issue of Nygaard-Andersen's numerous private flights, which, as the material indicates, were rare under the previous management, says a lot about the current climate in the company. Ultimately, the company decided to cut costs and this summer imposed a ban on all but essential travel. Additionally, as a result of restructuring in the digital operations department, there were 300 layoffs, and the management decided to postpone the annual employee satisfaction survey to the next year due to the fact that reorganization is ongoing in some areas of the company. The entire text should be treated as one big criticism of the company's CEO's actions, which, according to shareholders, are damaging Entain on many levels. There are many indications that Jette Nygaard-Andersen may not survive the storm that broke out last week. Entain will most likely face major structural changes. Organizational changes began this summer and resulted in, among other things, the final termination of Totolotka's operations in Poland. The company's problems will most likely also be felt by STS, but we will be able to say more about their long-term effects in the more distant future.

Pity to "see" her go.

You mention John Wheeler. Given his experience both NZ and internationally I don't think racing ever has made sufficient use of his international experience. Granted he was on a members council that however didn't make him visible to the public and racing administrators. I remember John being in the Jay Cees when in his twenties and even then he was a superb speaker and could relate to those around him.

Certainly if they carry on with some of their hair brained schemes. I assume they are instigators of the top ten banned trainers race. Stupid to say the least but perhaps because of its stupidity could be a NZTR idea.

Yes this is interesting topic. The slide seems to be consistently downwards. Replacing the IT infrastructure with their propriety owned not wise if they would want to bail out of the New Zealand adventure.

In my view the Guerin article is extremely biased and not worthy of a journalist writing on judicial matters. Any arrests require good cause so at the minimum there had to be some wrong doing. Guerin is trying to show the defendants were angels. This will turn more people away from harness racing as punters will assume anything goes without consequence.

except the stable has bolted. This new deal seems a bit hard to follow but its plain that horse racing and radio go together as many tried to point out when TAB got rid of radio for less than $1 million. https://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU2311/S00330/tab-new-zealand-to-acquire-senz-digital-audio-from-sports-entertainment-network-nz.htm The fact is that previously advertising revenue combining TV and radio could have been returned directly to racing. The problem being the TAB personified by the small thinking McKenzie never could grasp commercial opportunities and lived in the past where the TAB was a just a clerical outfit.

You make an interesting point re "polish". Some trainers cut a fine line when it comes to pre race "extras". I note the Te Akau horses not always polished off but obviously compensated by superb conditioning. Would seem the Te Akau policy is just take no chances. Just imagine Karynn walking through the stables and seeing something questionable.

Obviously the publication relies heavily on TAB or NZTR subsidy. Which would explain each week Entain promo articles as well as NZTR material. Leading studs who also seem to be sponsors have some exposure. But the weekly is hopelessly outdated. Few people bother reading the form on paper as opposed online. OK it's nice having the fields on paper but this could be achieved by an insert printed after publication. Its ridiculous that a glossy magazine should have a shelf life only of a day or two. Instead of printing the form I suggest more review articles and stable tour pieces. Various charts as well could be included for the punter but above all give the publication greater shelf life making it retainable and not disposed after Sunday. Furthermore sport and classified adverts could be added overall dramatically increasing circulation and perhaps reducing price.

Haven't heard much about National's racing policy.

I suppose the TAB compulsive signers have got into some deal with skytv to prevent going with freeview. If racing got onto freeview it would not have any competition with other sports.

Look at world wide trends. Women sport attendance is on the up. e.g. FIFA World Cup in NZ. Although Trackside can be streamed free that's still not satisfactory for getting converts particularly women. I suggest a free to air channel run by the codes in partnership with Trackside is the best way. Many advertisers & sponsors aren't comfortable sponsoring the TAB whereas they are for racing and community events.

https://loveracing.nz/News/42517/WeighIn-25September.aspx go to 39.00 minute Not much specifics. Bit vague at times. However some items. 1. Trackside Premiere channel on Premiere days. Now that is faulty logic. I contend the Premiere lead up should be before the day e.g. Friday nights with say a separate betting pool for viewers. The old calcutta Friday nights were great creating interest amongst sports club people. Also the show must be available say on Youtube particularly on the day for viewers to go to and fro between channels. 2. Possibility of Free to Air TV. That would be their best achievement so far. Big if though. 3. Retail terminals. Who needs them. Just put up a whole lot of Qrcodes and make the other end attractive. Hopefully that's what Cameron Rodger means by tinkering with the TAB App. 4. Had to chuckle Guerin saying that all club, NZTR and TAB management love Entain. Offcourse they do. They've probably got a pay rise and now leave all their work up to Entain. 5. When quizzed on how Entain would grow the customer base he seemed to suggest that sports betting would be the focus.

I remember when the New Plymouth track opened up after remodelling about 1983 there was that many turn up thus not getting a bet on or being able to move that the consensus was they would never come back. Moral.... be prepared and as FIFA did with the womens football make it an experience.

You pose a good question. Seems TAB, NZTR getting into outside endeavours they know little about. NZTR was never supposed to be a publishing business. What should have happened is three codes along with Trackside and the old radio network combine into a single media company allowing some real experts to be employed.

I suppose there has been things like the "TAB sponsored driver" which is a bit unfair on other drivers but the TAB doesn't in that case tell the driver how to drive the race or which horse to drive. This case means TAB employees getting involved and then having the CV to go out on their own competing against the "battlers" say as syndicators. There are plenty syndicators and trainers plus breeders willing to do business so why start competing against the "battlers" who don't have the billion dollar capital behind them. This is another hair brained scheme like the Grand Tour which doesn't compute. Who has the time to figure all the odds options the "grand tour" throws up.

So why is it called the TAB Racing Club? If Entain wants to start a totally independent club then do it without digging into TAB coffers with special betting offers. Its a bit like supporting the local grocer with TAB offers because the TAB boss's wife shops there.

The Racing Act spells out the functions of the TAB. Anything to do with racehorse ownership is NZTR function. Certainly deciding which trainers it will support is not a legal or fair use of TAB profits. As well has the ownership thing been in the business plan? RACING ACT 63TAB NZ must prepare business plan (1) Before the start of a racing year, TAB NZ must prepare a business plan relating to that racing year. (2) TAB NZ must consult each racing code in respect of its business plan. (3) However, subsection (2) applies in respect of a racing code only if there is no provision in any commercial agreement between TAB NZ and that racing code or all racing codes providing for consultation by TAB NZ with that racing code or all racing codes on the development of the business plan. (4) In carrying out consultation required under subsection (2) or by the commercial agreement referred to in subsection (3), TAB NZ must— (a) give each racing code a copy of the proposed business plan; and (b) provide each code with a reasonable period (not less than 15 working days) in which to provide comments to TAB NZ; and (c) meet with each code (or all the codes) to discuss any matters of disagreement. (5) TAB NZ must publish a copy of its business plan on an Internet site maintained by or on behalf of TAB NZ.

And well they should. He was basically saying Williams should have ridden to lose.

Lets start with the name. Some 50 Tarzino progeny have raced in NZ. Most of them hopeless. None won more than $70,000 and I doubt any have earned enough to pay for expenses here. At this time of year piling all the good horses into one race does nothing for racing. Far better having a series of races around the country where trainers can take their time getting them ready. Look at Imperatriz last year. Took a while to recover after. Wisely missing this time. Sure its a great field this Saturday but if all of them are in peak condition then that would really be "stupid".

Question of population, expert staff and linking to sponsors. Any rental charges to Auckland Racing keeps money in the system. Just imagine when broadcasting Trackside has the racetrack in the background. Prestige and image.